Sep

29

Does Benedict XVI Have Confidence in the Press?

September 29, 2008 | 1 Comment

The theme chosen by Benedict XVI for World Communications Day reflects the Pope’s confidence in the press and its possibilities, says a Vatican official.

Archbishop Claudio Celli affirmed this today when announcing the theme for the world day: “New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.”

“More than simply a theme, I think the Pope has put before us a genuine program of work,” he said. “[It is] a compendium of the commitments and responsibilities that communication and communicators are called to personally assume at a time so characterized by the development of new technologies which, in fact, create a new environment, a new culture.

“In a certain sense, it could be said that the Pope is asking from communicators today what he asked for during his meeting with the world of culture in Paris, that is, to assume a truly philosophical attitude: to look beyond penultimate things and launch themselves into the search for ultimate and true things.”

All of this, Archbishop Celli affirmed, points to the “Pope’s confidence in the possibilities of the media.”

He said that the Holy Father’s emphasis on the new relationships that should arise from new technologies touches fundamental elements of communication. “Progress in means does not simply imply a step forward, but always brings new conditions and possibilities that humanity can use and invest for the common good and make into the basis for ample and widespread cultural growth,” he explained.

To respond to Benedict XVI’s invitation, Archbishop Celli announced that a bishops’ meeting is scheduled for March, to bring together prelates responsible for communication and media experts. The conference will aim to formulate a more precise and modern pastoral program for the media.

The World Day of Communications is the only worldwide celebration established by the Second Vatican Council (”Inter Mirifica,” 1963). It is observed around the world the Sunday before Pentecost.

Courtesy Zenit.org


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Br. Michael Anthony on September 30, 2008 2:35 pm

    “New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship” is the theme chosen by the Pope for his Message for the 43rd World Day of Social Communications, due to be published on 24 January 2009, Feast of St. Francis of Sales, patron of journalists.

    The announcement was made yesterday 29 September, Feast of the Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, by Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

    In Archbishop Celli’s words, with his message for the Day of Social Communications the Holy Father “is presenting us with a true work plan, … a compendium of commitments and responsibilities that … those involved in the field of communications are personally called to shoulder, at a time so deeply marked by the development of new media technologies which, in effect, are creating a new environment, a new culture.

    “It is clear that the Pope has a certain confidence in the possibilities the communications media can offer; the media can be of great help in favouring a climate of dialogue and trust”.

    The president of the pontifical council went on to point out that “highlighting the fact that new technologies must be accompanied by new relationships represents a profound appraisal of the interaction upon which communication exists and develops. The modernisation of instruments does not simply mean a step forwards in technical terms, but creates new conditions and possibilities for mankind to use and apply this resource for the common good, placing it at the foundation of a widespread cultural growth”.

    Archbishop Celli also announced that in March 2009 bishops with responsibility for communication are due to attend a seminar organised in collaboration with experts in media and communication “in order to devise a more precise and up-to-date form of pastoral care for the social communications media”.

    The World Day of Social Communications will be celebrated in almost all countries on Sunday 31 May 2009.

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